Vernon glared at him. “I want a lawyer.”
“I’m sure you do.”
Reed picked up the cup of freshly brewed coffee from the vending machine. He took a long sip, letting the warmth and caffeine surge through him, before dropping in more coins for a second cup.
The hospital’s emergency waiting room was mostly empty. Austin was still being examined by doctors. Emma sat in a plastic chair, talking on her cell phone. Her clothes were covered in mud and grass stains. Sadie sat at her feet, still wearing her SAR vest, allowed in the hospital because of her specialized training.
Reed’s chest tightened. He didn’t want to think about the number of ways tonight could’ve gone terribly wrong.
He took the second cup of coffee from the machine and crossed the room just as Emma hung up. He handed her the drink. “Everything okay with Vivian and Lily?”
“Yes.” She sighed. “Vivian’s more worried about me than herself. She says it’s like a fort at the house. Deputy Irving is inside and there’s another deputy on patrol around the property. Thank you, Reed, for arranging it.”
“I told you, keeping you and your family safe is my first priority.”
Not that he was doing a great job. Within the course of a couple of days, Emma had been threatened, choked and shot at.
Her hair had fallen loose from its ponytail. The strands curved around her face. A pine needle was tangled in them. Without a thought, Reed reached up and pulled it out. His fingers brushed across the silky threads of her hair.
Emma laughed lightly and took the pine needle from him. “I must look a fright.”
“You look like someone who saved the day. Having Sadie take down Vernon probably saved my life.”
It was a strange fact to acknowledge. Not that Emma had put herself on the line for him or Molly. That wasn’t surprising given her character. But still, she was a civilian. Reed was used to relying on his men. Law enforcement was a brotherhood and there was an understanding each would give his life for another. Emma had no training in that regard, or any obligation. It made her bravery even more outstanding.
He locked eyes with her. “If I haven’t said it yet, thank you.”
“We make a good team, Reed.” She frowned, her gaze scanning his face. “Are you sure you’re okay? Shouldn’t you be checked out by a doctor?”
“I’m fine. Just bruised.” His lips quirked. “I’m a lot tougher than I look.”
“No one would think you weren’t tough. Not for a moment.”
The doors leading from the emergency room swung open and Austin walked out. His arm was in a sling and he favored his right leg.
Emma hopped up and gently hugged him. “What did the doctor say?”
Austin blushed as he pulled back. “It’s nothing. My shoulder was dislocated, and I have a sprained ankle.” His gaze jumped from Emma to Reed. “Molly?”
“She’s going to make a full recovery, according to the doctors.”
Austin let out a breath. “I’m glad. I saw Will going into Vernon’s room with a defense attorney. Why aren’t you in there interviewing him?”
“I decided it would be best to let Cooper take the lead on the case.” Cooper Jackson was their local Texas Ranger. “It’ll bump the case to a higher priority. Cooper can get the state lab to process the evidence quickly. Plus, he has the additional manpower to question witnesses faster than we can.”
It would also free Reed up to personally guard Emma. The danger to her was growing exponentially.
Austin nodded. “Good idea. Cooper is an excellent investigator.”
“What happened out there in the woods?” Reed asked.
“I went to the ridge to call in to headquarters when I overheard Vernon talking to someone. He didn’t give a name, but he explicitly said the plan worked. He told the other person on the phone to hurry up.”
Emma gasped. “I saw someone in the woods with a flashlight coming toward the cave. That’s why I moved Molly closer to the rear entrance, out of sight. I assumed it was Vernon, but maybe I was wrong.”
“Two criminals...” Reed rocked back on his heels. “On the night of the break-in at Emma’s house, a truck nearly ran me off the road. It wasn’t the man who actually attacked Emma because he was still in the house, but it could’ve been a getaway driver.”
If there were two men working together all this time, that meant any alibis they’d collected were worthless. It put the case back at square one.
“There’s more.” Austin hesitated. “Vernon specifically said he didn’t sign up for the murder part. If the other guy wanted you dead, he needed to move it.”
Reed was standing close enough to feel the small tremor shake Emma’s body. He slipped his hand into hers.
Austin grimaced. “I must’ve stepped on a branch or somehow given away my presence, because Vernon started shooting at me. I ended up rolling down the embankment.”
The hospital doors swung open again. Will Norton, the county prosecutor, emerged. He was followed by Cooper. The Texas Ranger was scowling.
“I take it the questioning didn’t go well,” Reed said once the men were close enough.
Cooper snorted, running a hand through his shaggy hair. “Vernon isn’t as stupid as his crimes might suggest.”
“He pled the fifth and refused to answer any questions,” Will said. “I’ve spoken with the defense attorney. I’ll throw every charge I can at Vernon and ask for the maximum sentence for each one if he doesn’t agree to cooperate. Murder-for-hire alone is a capital crime. He’s going to discuss it with his client, but I’m not holding my breath.”
Emma’s shoulders sagged and Reed squeezed her hand. “What about his phone? Since Austin heard him talking to someone—”
“We’ve recovered the cell phone, but it’s locked.” Cooper placed his hands on his
